September 23, 2017 5.11 pm This story is over 91 months old

Lincoln City fall to Notts County defeat after controversial red card

Notts County 4-1 Lincoln City match report.

Photo: Marc Freeman for The Lincolnite

Notts County defeated Lincoln City, who had Billy Knott sent off controversially in the first half, 4-1 at Meadow Lane.

Over 4,000 Imps made the journey to Nottingham to see Lincoln make a promising start before Knott was sent his marching orders after a 50/50 challenge on Ryan Yates.

Jon Stead took the lead for Notts County before Harry Anderson equalised just after half time, however strikes from Matt Tootle, Jorge Grant and former Lincoln man Terry Hawkridge condemned Lincoln City to back-to-back defeats.

Lincoln had a number of good chances in the first half, Matt Green dragged his shot wide in the first ten minutes and Josh Ginnelly’s effort was tipped over the bar by goalkeeper Adam Collin.

Sean Raggett also saw his header go over the bar from Knott’s corner.

The Imps went down to ten men when Knott saw red after he caught Magpies’ midfielder Yates as he bent down to reach a header.

County took the lead moments after Knott’s red card when former Hawkridge kept possession well on the left side before finding left-back Daniel Jones whose inch-perfect cross was turned in by Jon Stead.

Moments into the second half Josh Ginnelly’s cross found Anderson whose shot was bundled into the bottom corner.

Notts County took the lead for the second time seven minutes later when Tootle’s half volley beat Paul Farman.

Grant made it three for the hosts when his excellent free kick whipped into the top corner, leaving Farman with no chance.

Hawkridge sealed the victory in the 88th minute when he cut inside and fired his shot past Farman.

Lincoln will host Barnet on Tuesday (September 26) before travelling to Grimsby Town on September 30.

Notts County: Collin; Tootle, Duffy, Brisley, Jones (Dickinson 45+2); Hawkridge, Yates, Milsom (Hewitt 76), Grant; Forte, Stead (Smith 86)

Subs not used: Fitzsimons (GK), Hunt, Walker

Lincoln City: Farman; Eardley (Whitehouse 68), Raggett, Dickie, Habergham; Ginnelly (Palmer 68), Woodyard, Bostwick, Anderson; Knott; Green (Long 72)

Subs not used: Vickers (GK), Waterfall, Rhead, Maguire-Drew

Attendance: 11,672 (4,140 Imps) 

The Lincolnite Man of the Match: Terry Hawkridge